The present work takes up the neglected quest for a theory of ritual and methodology of analysis that recognizes and traces the contours of ritual dynamic structure. The resulting fresh approach provides a controlled framework for interpreting rituals belonging to various cultures and for identifying bases of comparison between them. The first part builds a theory and definition of ritual and a corresponding methodology for analyzing specific rituals in terms of their activities and the meanings attached to those activities. The second part illustrates this methodology and its usefulness for comparative studies by applying it to ceremonies of cult purification in the ancient Near East.
- ISBN10 1463204000
- ISBN13 9781463204006
- Publish Date 14 July 2014 (first published 1 January 2004)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Gorgias Press
- Format Paperback
- Pages 420
- Language English